Pacific Education and Research for Leadership in Science (PEARLS)

描述(由申请者提供)：太平洋科学领导力教育和研究项目(PEELLS)的目标是提高科学和科学研究的知识，同时通过为中学生引入创新的科学课程来提高对科学职业的兴趣。该课程将包括对现有以探究为基础的最佳做法课程的调整，以达到标准和基准，并融入适合文化的实践活动、实地考察、科学家的课堂访问以及研究技能和行为培训。课程中包含了针对特定项目的教师培训、科学职业资源的协调、科学中心展品以及为教师和学生提供的创新指导。传播计划包括在整个太平洋地区将课程和培训作为推荐课程提供，并提供科学中心推广和展览开发。通过包括来自夏威夷和美国太平洋六个附属岛屿的科学中心工作人员、研究人员、医疗工作者、课程专家和教育工作者在内的互补合作伙伴关系，珍珠将为7年级和8年级创建完整的科学课程，帮助学生培养科学探究技能，更好地了解医学研究和科学职业机会。珍珠计划(第I/II期)将通过四项主要活动影响10,000多名学生和教师：调整现有的科学课程，包括文化内容、研究人员与科学家的接触以及各种科学实地考察、博物馆资源和技术支助活动；为教师和学生创建一个支持网络，其中包括电子和近距离同行指导；协调对科学感兴趣的学生开展科学展览项目以及与导师一起开展实地和实验室工作的资源；以及创建一支由研究人员、课程制定者、教育工作者和科学中心工作人员组成的团队，继续为该地区开发资源。评估计划将包括形成性和终结性评估、控制小组，以及引入一种创新的调查工具，该工具将由全国其他SEPA进行测试。 珍珠项目的目的是通过引入7年级和8年级以探究为基础的文化敏感科学课程，提高少数民族学生以及来自农村和服务不足地区的学生的科学知识和职业兴趣。珍珠的学生和教师将有机会获得多种形式的指导和资源，以促进对科学的兴趣和在科学职业生涯中取得成功。这与公共卫生有关，因为这些学生将有更多机会了解科学研究，并在研究、医疗保健和公共卫生领域追求职业生涯。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of the Pacific Education and Research for Leadership in Science (PEARLS) project is to improve knowledge of science and scientific research, while increasing interest in science careers by introducing an innovative science curriculum for middle/intermediate school students. The curriculum will consist of an adaptation of an existing inquiry-based best practices curriculum, reorganized to meet standards and benchmarks and infused with culturally appropriate hands-on activities, field trips, classroom visits by scientists and training in research skills and conduct. Built into the curriculum is program specific teacher training, coordination of science career resources, science center exhibits and innovative mentoring for teachers and students. The dissemination plan involves making the curriculum and training available across the Pacific region as a recommended curriculum and providing science center outreach and exhibit development. Through complementary partnerships including science center staff, researchers, healthcare workers, curriculum experts and educators from Hawaii and the six U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, PEARLS will create a full science curriculum for 7th and 8th grade that will help students develop scientific inquiry skills and better understand medical research and science career opportunities. The PEARLS project (phase I/II) will affect over 10,000 students and teachers through four major activities: adapting existing science curricula to include cultural components, researcher contact with scientists, and a variety of science field trips, museum resources and technology supported activities; creating a support network for teachers and students that includes electronic and near-peer mentoring; coordinating resources for science interested students to do science fair projects and field and lab work with mentors; and creating a team of researchers, curriculum developers, educators and science center staff to continue resource development for the region. The evaluation plan will include both formative and summative assessments, control groups, and introduction of an innovative survey tool that will be tested by other SEPAs across the country. The purpose of the PEARLS project is to increase science knowledge and careers interest in underrepresented minority students and those from rural and underserved areas by introducing a 7th and 8th grade inquiry-based culturally sensitive science curriculum. PEARLS students and teachers will have access to multiple forms of mentoring and resources to facilitate interest in science and success at science careers. This is relevant to public health, as these students will have a greater chance of understanding scientific research and pursuing careers in research, healthcare and public health.